Page 73 of Coastal Rewind

Kids were screaming and running in every direction as I fished another seltzer out of the ice bucket on the makeshift bar my brothers set up for the parents. I peered over at MJ who was splashing Theo with water in the pool and a happiness settled over me that I helped bring that smile to his face.

“You look happy.” I jumped as Owen appeared next to me.

“I am happy.” I cracked open the skinny can and took a deep sip.

“He’s good for you.” He turned his head so he was looking directly at me. I could feel his stare through the sunglasses that sat on his face.

“Why do you say that?”

“You seem less itchy to leave. Like you finally have something anchoring you here.” His words were meant to be positive, but I could hear the hurt in his voice. It implied that the family wasn’t enough to make me stay—that he wasn’t enough.

“Owen—”

“Ryleigh! There you are!” I was cut off by Amber’s voice as she bounced up to us. “I’ve been looking all over for you.” She wrapped me in a hug as my mask slipped back into place.

“So glad you guys could make it.” I smiled and fished out a seltzer for her.

“Are you kidding? Theo hasn’t stopped talking about MJ’s basketball party all week.”

“Mason is really taking this whole basketball thing to heart.” Owen shook with laughter. “MJ asked if Mason could get season tickets to the Lakers so he could meet real athletes.”

Amber choked on her seltzer. “Kids sure know how to hit you where it hurts.”

“Amber, this is my twin brother Owen. Owen, this is Amber.” Owen reached across me and held out his hand.

“Always nice to meet Ry’s friends.”

She smiled and shook his hand. “So, is your entire family like brutally hot?”

Owen wrapped an arm around my shoulders. I wanted to slap the smirk off his face. “Whatever you do, don’t ask Nolan that question. It’ll just feed his ego.”

I opened my mouth to say something, but in the corner of my eye, I saw a kid push MJ down into the water. Not just any kid, the one who also shoved him at camp a few weeks ago.

Owen must have seen it too, because he asked, “Who is that?” His voice was harder, more protective.

“Jason Fitz. He goes to camp and school with the boys and is a royal pain in my ass,” Amber said, not taking her eyes off the boys.

“He must be the one who told MJ his mom dropped him in a dumpster.”

“He what?” Owen barked.

“His mom is a piece of work, too.” Amber pointed to a woman across the deck. She had bleach-blonde hair and what I assumed were fake tits underneath a designer dress.

Owen pushed off the bar and strolled up to where all my brothers stood by the back door of the house. He had that whole hero complex look on his face.

Concerned, I chased after him. Owen leaned into the circle to whisper something, and I swear they all nodded in unison. They looked so serious as they completely ignored my presence and followed Owen across the patio.

“Hey,” Owen said to Jason in a stern voice.

“Who are you?” Jason crossed his arms. The little snot shot them a dirty look.

“We heard you’ve been messing with our friend.” Nolan pointed at MJ. Colin and Aiden flanked their sides as they stood with wide shoulders and crossed arms. Their faces were hard as stone.

Jason glanced over at MJ who was getting out of the pool. “What are you? His body guards?”

Owen chuckled deeply. “No. We’re his friends.” He crouched low so he was looking Jason directly in the eyes. “Do you know what we do to people who mess with our friends?”

Jason’s face fell and his eyes went wide.